Chapter 5: Tell Me All Your Plans

The month following my head injury went by quickly. Wendy and Tinsley were always there for me to hold onto whenever I got hit by my dizzy spells. I was also exempt from gym, which was also a good thing. The downside was that I had to do worksheets to make up for not doing any physical gym.

There was another downside too. A week after the incident, Tyler wouldn't leave me, Tinsley, and Wendy, alone for three days because he kept apologizing to me, even though he really didn't do any damage to me. Tinsley finally got him to leave me alone when she threatened to go to the principal to complain about how he's harassing me. Tyler had decided that Bella was a better target than me and wouldn't stop apologizing to her.

On the upside, Bella had complained how Edward wasn't talking to her anymore and that he probably regretted saving her life. I figured that Edward was pissed because I wasn't crushed to death. I instead told her that he's just being his usual dickish self and not to take it personally since he's usually a dick to, well…everyone. Instead of listening to me, she took it personally.

On top of that it was the girls' choice spring dance. Tinsely wanted to bring that guy from her guitar lessons to the dance and Wendy wanted this one guy from her art class to go with her. I wanted to stay home and catch up homework and sleep.

It was worse when Bella told me to ask Embry to the spring dance. I told her I wasn't even sure if people from outside of my school could go to our school events, then I realized what I said and told her that I was never going to the dance, especially not with Embry. He was my friend after all. And if there was a chance Embry had a crush on, I wasn't going to lead him on since that was just manipulative and heartless. Oddly enough, it reminded me of Mom and Dad's dynamic, before she ripped out his heart after having two daughters. I always wondered why she married him if she never even loved him.

Jessica had called Bella and asked Bella's permission so Jessica can ask Mike to the dance. I wasn't sure why Jessica needed permission to ask a guy to the dance since Bella wasn't interested in or even dating Mike or Tyler for that matter, so why would Jessica need Bella's permission?

After school, I waited for Bella by her truck. Even though a month had passed since I busted my head open and had gotten the staples removed, Dad wanted to make sure that I was well enough to drive to school and had confiscated my keys. To be honest, I wasn't sure I was well enough to drive.

Eric came up to me and eyed me suspiciously. I mean I was lurking by my sister's truck to go home. What was his excuse?

"What do you want?" I asked a little too harshly.

"I just wanted to ask Bella a question, Swan," replied Eric in the same tone.

I rolled my eyes. Judging from how Jessica was acting, I assume that she had gotten turned down. Judging from the way Tyler acted around Bella, I wouldn't be surprised if he and Eric both wanted to be in Bella's pants…or take her to the dance. Both works.

"Tough luck, Eric," I replied. "Bella can't dance. I'm sure that she would do well in a mosh pit, though, considering how many people she walks into."

Bella finally came over and I was relieved to see her.

"Hey, Eric," called Bella.

"Hi, Bella," replied Eric, perking up slightly.

"What's up?" asked Bella as she unlocked the door and pressed the button to unlock my door.

I got in the truck, closing the door. I kept a hold of the strap to my bag so I can resist the urge to jump out of the truck with it moving. Wendy still has the scar from the one time we decided to jump out of a moving vehicle during the summer before sophomore year. Tinsley had borrowed her elder brother, August's car, and we decided to tie ourselves the car and jump out at 50 to 70 MPH. We also recorded ourselves doing it too.

"Uh, I was just wondering…if you would go to the spring dance with me?" asked Eric. His voice broke on the last word.

"It's supposed to be girls' choice," I said, irritated. "It's Bella's choice."

"Well, yeah," admitted Eric, looking ashamed. Good.

"Thank you for asking me, but I'm going to be in Seattle that day," replied Bella.

I frowned at that. Since when?

"Oh, well, maybe next time," said Eric.

"Sure," agreed Bella.

From the side-view mirror, I noticed Edward walking by. I considered flipping him off, but I decided that he was walking too quickly to notice and I didn't want to offend anyone.

Bella got in the truck and started it.

"Since when are you going to Seattle?" I asked as Bella backed up into the aisle.

"I'm not," said Bella.

"You could always turn them down inside of lying and giving them false hope," I pointed out. Bella stopped and glared out the windshield. It was the Big D. He stopped in the middle of the goddamn aisle to block us in, causing a goddamn holdup.

I was irritated and considered telling Bella to purposely back up into the Big D's car, but I think Bella's truck didn't deserve that.

There was a knock on a window and I looked over. Tyler was at the window, apparently having abandoned his car to ask Bella something.

"Five bucks that he wants to ask you to the dance," I said.

Bella started cranking the window down, but she got it halfway down, and gave up.

"I'm sorry, Tyler, we're stuck behind Cullen," Bella said annoyed.

"Oh, I know—I just wanted to ask you something while we're trapped here," said Tyler, grinning.

Jesus Christ, get it over with, I thought agitated. I wondered what Tinsley and Wendy had planned. Maybe I could go over to Chris's car and get a ride home from him instead of putting up with this display of jackassery.

"I was hoping you were just letting him down easy," said Tyler.

"Sorry, Tyler," said Bella, trying to sound like she was trying to hide her irritation. "I really am going out of town."

"That's cool," responded Tyler. "We still have prom." He turned and walked away from us.

I could feel my fingernails digging in my palms. Why didn't these guys know what 'no' means? Why couldn't Bella just say no instead of being a pushover?

The Big D's Volvo drove off quickly as if he was a NASCAR driver and that the parking lot didn't have a speed limit. Ass.

It was silent on the drive back home.

I hid out in my attic-room trying to do homework while Bella made dinner. It was nice not making dinner every now and then. Dad and I usually took turns making it.

Tinsley had called me telling me that one guy from her guitar lessons had accepted her invitation to the dance and Wendy had also managed to get that one guy from her art class. I was glad for the both of them, Tinsley especially, since she was distrustful of outsiders since the disappearance of Jackie.

It was at dinner that Bella had dropped the Seattle Bomb with Dad.

"Dad?" asked Bella.

"Yeah, Bella?"

"Um, I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to Seattle for the day a week from Saturday…if that's okay?" said Bella.

"Why?" asked Dad, sounding surprised.

"Well, I wanted to get a few books—the library here is pretty limited—and maybe look at some clothes," responded Bella.

"That truck probably doesn't get very good gas mileage," said Dad.

"I know," said Bella.

"You could borrow my car," I chimed in. "It's probably jealous that I'm getting rides from Bella."

Dad nodded, like it made sense. "You're taking Karielle with you."

"What?" Bella and I said surprised.

"Seattle is a big city—and Karielle knows the city somewhat well and she knows how to kick hard since she plays soccer," said Dad.

"What does Kari kicking hard have to do with anything?" asked Bella.

"There are a lot of creeps out there, Bells," I responded. "Dad wants us to use the buddy system." Granted, I don't think Isabella "Human-Disaster" Swan would need protection, since all she could do was knock a man into the road and somehow cause a twenty-car pile-up.

"Maybe Tinsley and Wendy can go with you two," said Dad.

"They have dates to the dance, Dad," I said.

Dad nodded, "They are pretty girls…"

Bella rolled her eyes.

Dad looked at me, "Make sure you have your keychain with you."

"It always is," I responded. "It's my keychain after all."

When I had first started driving and dating, Dad had gotten me a Kubotan, which is basically a self-defense weapon. It was basically a five inch long-stick that's made out of durable material. Dad had gotten me one that was made out of hard plastic and was black, with six groves on it. Dad had shown me where the pressure points were. I had asked him why I needed it, but he said that he wanted me to be at least well-guarded. So far, I haven't used it yet.

"That's good to hear," said Dad.

Bella pulled into the parking lot at school, parking far away from the Volvo. Maybe she finally got over her silly crush on the Big D, which was relieving, to be honest. Not because I hated him, which is true, but because I was beginning to think her obsession with the Big D is dangerously veering on the unhealthy side. Sometimes people were so unhealthily obsessed with someone, it usually winds up with that person dead and the person obsessed in jail.

We got out of the truck and—

"How do you do that?" asked Bella, sounding amazed.

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Somehow.

"Do what?" asked the Big D.

"Appear out of thin air," replied Bella.

"Bella, it's not my fault if you are exceptionally unobservant," said Edward.

I cringed at that. "You were nowhere near us," I pointed out.

Edward looked over at me and I decided that I'd rather not hear what my sister passes for flirting. I considered leaving my keychain with Bella, but I'd rather not risk having her somehow give herself a black-eye with it.

"Hello, Karielle." said Edward, trying to sound pleasant, but I could hear a bit of annoyance in his voice.

"Hey," I replied and walked towards my friends.

"What did he want?" Wendy asked.

"Probably to play more mind games with Bella," I responded, shrugging.

Tinsley looked over to where Bella and the Big D was at. Bella looked offended. "We should report him to the school board for harassment and emotional abuse."

"I agree," said Wendy.

As much as that appealed to me… "They have money. He'll just wiggle his way out or have his parents pay the board off and have nothing be done."

"Is that even legal?" asked Wendy curiously.

"No, but money buys," I responded. "Rich people always get lesser sentences because of their money."

"Must be nice having money," said Tinsley as we started walking.

"I know," I said. If I had money, at least I wouldn't have to worry about college loans, debt, and paying for textbooks.

"What do you have planned on the night of the dance?" asked Wendy.

"Bella wants to go to Seattle," I responded.

"And your dad allowed it?" asked Tinsley, shocked.

"As long as I go with her," I said.

"Do you want me to cancel and go with you two?" asked Wendy.

"And me too?" asked Tinsley.

As nice as it sounded, but I couldn't ask them to do that. They already made plans and it would be horrible for me to intrude. "No, I'll be fine with her. Besides, she won't like your music, Tinny."

"What's not to love about them?" asked Tinsley.

"Well…" started Wendy.

Tinsley glared at her, "You be quiet, Gwendolyne."

Wendy laughed, "I'm just messing with you."

I chuckled.

At the end of the school day, something weird happened. I was heading towards Bella's truck when I heard: "Hey, Karielle."

I felt my eye twitch and I turned to find the source of the voice. I wasn't even speaking of the devil and he still showed up, unwanted.

It was the Big D himself. Some girls turned around and glared at me as Edward walked up to me. Wow. These girls sure have low-standards if they think Edward is attractive.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Bella wanted you to know that she went home early and that she wants me to drop you and her death-trap at your home," said Edward.

"Is she okay?" I asked, wondering why I haven't heard anything of the sort.

"She's fine," said Edward briskly, walking to Bella's death—I mean truck. I followed after him, before I realized what I was doing. I grabbed his arm and he whirled around to face me so quickly that I swear my vision blurred a little. "What is it?" He sounded annoyed as he seemed to glare at me for probably daring to touch him. Believe me, pal, I didn't want to touch you either.

Two can play at whatever game that he thinks he's playing. I glared back at him and said, "I can drive Bella's truck home so you don't have to."

"You have a head injury," pointed out Edward.

"I don't get dizzy anymore," I responded.

"It's her orders, not mine," said Edward. "I'm just carrying them out for her."

"How are you going to get home?" I asked.

"I walk fast," replied Edward with a smirk as he unlocked the truck door on my side.

I glared even harder at him, "Don't you ever treat me like I'm stupid."

He held the truck door open for me, which was actually kind of nice of him. However, that doesn't excuse his previous dickish behavior.

He got in the driver's seat.

For a brief moment, I wondered if I had a lapse in memory because that was pretty quick, but my memory was considered great.

Edward started driving.

I tried to enjoy the peace and quiet.

"How did you get the name 'Karielle' anyway?" asked Edward.

Quiet broken.

"My dad wanted to name me Arielle. However, when my dad was tending to a baby Bella, my mother put Karielle down instead of Arielle on my birth certificate. He wanted to change it back but my mother refused. So the name stuck," I explained. Why was he so interested in my name anyway?

"How well do you know the tribe on La Push?" Edward asked.

"The Quileutes?" I asked. "I don't know all of them, but I know a few of them."

"Who do you know?" asked Edward sharply.

I was taken aback by the subtle amount of hostility in his voice. "I know Billy Black, his twin daughters, Rachel and Rebecca, and his son, Jacob Black. My dad's friends with Billy and Harry Clearwater. I think Quil is Jacob's cousin. Embry is Jacob's and Quil's friend, so I know him from them."

"If I were you, I'd be careful around them," said Edward.

"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked.

"They're…different," replied Edward, sounding like he couldn't find a decent reason.

I was offended for a number of reasons. "One: I essentially grew up with Jacob, so he's like a brother to me. Two: they're people, Edward. How dangerous can they be?"

"Very," replied Edward.

"They are not savages," I replied irritated. "They're just people. And lastly, you can't tell me what to do. You're not my dad. You're not my friend or even an acquaintance. Just because my sister is obsessed with you means you can treat me the same. So piss off."

I was glad we had made it home. I spotted Jacob and Embry standing outside. Embry was holding a plate that was covered with Saran wrap. It looked like they had just gotten there too. They looked over at us and I got out of the truck. I looked back to see Edward glare at Embry and Jacob before he stormed off.

"Who was that?" asked Embry, giving Edward a suspicious look.

I rolled my eyes, "A racist douchebag that my sister is madly in love with, who somehow knows where we live." I wondered how or why he knew where we lived.

Jacob looked concerned, "That's not good. You should get a restraining order on him." That sounded like a good idea. "Also Embry—"

"My mother made that pie you wanted," said Embry quickly. He elbowed Jacob in the side and gave him a sharp look and a slight shake of his head.

Boys are weird.

"Tell her that I said thanks," I said. I had almost forgotten that when Embry called to see how I was doing, apparently I had mentioned that I wanted some pie for some reason. I went in the house and allowed them in.

"Why were you getting a ride from that one guy anyway?" asked Embry.

"I got sick and told him to give Kari my keys so she can drive home," said Bella sitting up from the couch. "I didn't mean for him to actually drive her home."

I had a feeling that she was lying, but I'll deal with her later. "You want some pie? Embry's mother made it."

"I'm good," said Bella. She had the same reaction when I had asked her if she wanted a cookie. I wonder if she was turning it down because her precious Edward didn't make it for her.

I went into the kitchen and set the pie down on the table. I grabbed some utensils.

"Try to save for my dad you two," I said.

"No promises," said Jacob. "I could always get Embry—ow!"

I turned around to see what happened. Jacob was rubbing at a spot on the back of his head. Embry was standing beside him, trying to look innocent and failing. Instead of looking innocent, he looked kind of cute. I should pretend I didn't just think that…

"You shouldn't take advantage of your friend's mother's baking," I said to Jacob. "You might get hit by your friend."

Embry nodded, "Yes, Jake. You should be careful, because I'll do a lot worse than smacking you upside the head."

Bella got up and started making her way upstairs.

"Are you sure you don't want pie?" I asked.

"They're your friends," said Bella. "I don't want to intrude." She hurried up the stairs. I looked at Jacob. "Your face must've scared her."

"Well, I am pretty scary," mused Jacob.

"Have you seen Kari after she wakes up? That's worse," joked Embry. "That's horror film fuel."

Jacob laughed.

I rolled my eyes. "You're not so handsome yourself when you get up."

Embry looked at me, smirking. "You think I'm handsome?"

"No," I replied quickly. "You think that's what I said because you're just trying to stroke your ego."

I busied myself with the pie to let them know that the matter was over.